The controversy surrounding Farid Basharat’s UFC release continues to grow, with the former bantamweight now hitting back at Dana White’s remarks. The 29-year-old was let go despite remaining unbeaten, finishing his UFC run with a perfect 7-0 record and an overall MMA record of 16-0.
One of the biggest talking points since Basharat’s release has been his lack of finishes. Six of his seven UFC victories came by decision, but he consistently got the job done against tough competition. His most recent outing was a win over John Garza in July, adding to a resume that includes victories over Jean Matsumoto, Chris Gutierrez, and Taylor Lapilus.
White was asked why Basharat was not offered a new contract during the UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference. The UFC CEO suggested that a fighter’s record is not always the only factor behind such decisions, pointing to possible issues with the matchmakers and fighters turning down bouts. He also hinted that there was a specific reason Basharat was not brought back.
Dana White hints there may be MORE to Farid Basharat’s UFC exit
“If you’re 16-0 with seven wins in the UFC and don’t get re-signed, there’s definitely a reason.”
@Home_of_Fight / @LynchOnSports
https://t.co/rYtyfxkHGC
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 18, 2026
Now, Basharat has shared his side of the story in a new video explaining his UFC exit, taking aim at what he sees as the promotion’s growing preference for finishes over technical, competitive fights.
Farid Basharat Responds to Dana White’s Remarks After Shock UFC Release
In a new video highlighting his side of the story, Basharat said, “I think the company, the UFC, is manufacturing a fan base that doesn’t appreciate good quality fighting. Even if it’s a mismatch, even if it’s a low-level fight, as long as there’s blood, as long as it’s a first-round finish, we’re happy.”
Basharat believes the sport cannot sustain itself by prioritizing those kinds of moments over the quality of the matchups. He argued that while the approach might deliver strong ratings in the short term, it could eventually hurt the sport’s credibility and leave fans wanting more competitive fights.
He opined, “In my opinion, you just can’t build a sport off that. Because you might do well for a couple of years ratings-wise, but sooner or later it’s going to de-legitimize the sport, and the fans are going to be left wanting high-quality fights.”
Farid Basharat responded to Dana White’s comments at yesterdays presser:
“He kind of alluded to maybe I was turning down fights or I was difficult to deal with.
I definitely didn’t turn nobody down. There was no issues with me in any way.”
(via @faridbofficial) https://t.co/I6A4ctvQn3
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 18, 2026
The former UFC fighter also brought up the promotion’s massive broadcasting deal with Paramount+, reportedly worth $7.7 billion over seven years. Basharat suggested that with such a lucrative agreement in place, the UFC has a financial incentive to keep putting on events, regardless of the overall quality of the matchups.
He said, “When I see the best against the best, for me, that’s what’s entertaining. But the UFC is guaranteed $7.7 billion over the next seven years, so they’re clearly great at what they’re doing. So what do I know?”
Basharat also insisted that he had never turned down a fight, even competing through injuries and accepting difficult matchups when asked. He pointed to his UFC 308 bout against Victor Hugo as an example, agreeing to fight at a 145-pound catchweight after Hugo missed the bantamweight limit by 10 pounds, weighing in at 146 pounds instead of the required 136.
Javid Basharat Defends His Brother Farid And Claims They Waited For 3 Months To Try And Renew The Deal And Found Out They Were Cut From The MMA Media
https://t.co/TQV3aBpkKJ
— Kevin (@realkevink) October 18, 2026
His criticism comes amid other notable roster decisions, including the departures of veterans such as Daniel Marcos and Michael “Venom” Page, while fighters like Tai Tuivasa and Michael Chandler have struggled to pick up wins in recent years.
The discussion also comes after UFC 332 delivered 11 knockouts and UFC Edmonton produced 12 finishes in a single night. While those numbers make for an action-packed event, Basharat’s argument raises a bigger question about what the promotion values most when deciding which fighters deserve to stay.
The other side of the argument is that the UFC is an entertainment business, and putting on exciting fights is part of the job. Still, Basharat’s release has sparked debate over whether being unbeaten and consistently winning is enough to keep a fighter on the roster when they are not regularly scoring finishes.